Two BART directors float idea of allowing bicycles on escalators

According to The Capricious Commuter, ContraCostaTimes.com’s commuting blog, two BART directors last Thursday called for the train system to consider dropping its long-standing prohibition of bicycles on escalators:

Robert Raburn and Tom Radulovich rejected BART’s contention that the restriction is necessary for safety and crowding reasons. … Radulovich suggested the opposite may be the case for safety: forcing cyclists to carry their bikes up stairs creates a risk that the two-wheelers will be dropped and hit other passengers.

The issue came up during the open discussion section of the meeting and was not on the official agenda, and therefore was not voted on or discussed in detail, said The Capricious Commuter. (Last Thursday was Bike To Work Day, btw.)

Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

Bicyclist Monica Tannreuther goes up the escalator at the Downtown Berkeley BART Station on last year’s Bike To Work Day, May 13, 2010. BART regulations do not allow bicycles on escalators, but BART Directors Robert Raburn and Tom Radulovich would like to change that rule.

Bicycles are allowed on BART elevators and stairs, and the 16th Street station in The Mission has a bicycle ramp alongside the stairs which allow a rider to push a bike up or down without too much trouble. It’s certainly easier than hoisting a bike over your shoulder. The ramp was paid for by the Transportation for Clean Air Fund and BART. You can see it in action here: